Gather all the tools you need prior to beginning your ritual. Items for the altar could include candles for the quarters, grapes, grapevines, pinecones, and a container of water. Also include some grape juice or wine and crackers or cake as an offering later in the ritual. You may want a small notebook or your Book of Shadows to write your experiences in after your ritual. You may also want a drum or a recording of some drumming that could be turned on during ritual.
The ritual should begin near dusk and run into the evening, as Dionysus enjoys merriment and a festival atmosphere. Adding some fairy lights around the ritual area would also add to the atmosphere.
This ritual can be done on your own or with others. It can be done inside or outside as weather permits. You should make sure that you have plenty of room to move within the circle, as you will be moving to the durmming or movusic that you chose for this ritual.
Prepare your ritual space and cleanse the area. There are a variety of ways to clease the area, and you can use any that works best for you. One suggestion that works well and is appropriate is the use of a bundled grapevine to asperge blessed or charged water. It is also a suitable alternative if you are unable to use something like sage because of an allergy, and it is what we will sue in this ritual.
To begin, you will want to set up your altar area. Place the quarter candles in their corresponding directions. Put your notebook or Book of Shadows on the altar as well. Set your water near the bundle of graepvines for easy retrieval. You can include deocrative items like grapes, grapevines, or a small wreath. You can include pinecomes as well,a s they are reminiscent of a thyrsus wand, which is made with a fennel stalk and a pinecone.
Bless the water before beginning. Hold your hands over hte water and close your eyes. Feel the energy build up through your core, and as you feel it peak, say,
Water is life. From it comes all things. May the energy within sustain and cleanse. Blessed be!
Cast your circle by calling each quarter. As you move to each quarter, take the grapevine bundle, dip it into the blessed water, and sprinkle the water to create the circle.
Calling the Quarters
NORTH. I call to the powers of the north, the guardians of the earth. Bless us with yor grounding inluences as we reach toward communion with the god. We welcome you to our circle!
EAST. I call to the powers of the east, the guardians of air. Bless us with the wind in our hair as we dance ecstatically. We welcome you to our circle!
SOUTH. I call to the powers of the south, the guardians of fire. Bless us with warmth as we move and dance with divinity. We welcome you to our circle!
WEST. I call to the powers of the west, the guardians of water. Bless us with cool waters to temper our emotions. We welcome you to our circle!
Invocation
Start your ritual music at this time whether that is from you drumming to get into the right frame of mind or if you play a recording of drumming or some other music that speaks to you. Now will be the time to reach out directly to Dionysus and ask him to enlighten you with an ecstatic spiritual experience. You will be trying to get into a trancelike state so that you can be receptive to what Dionysus wants to share with you.
Pick up your glass of wine or juice and take a drink. Dionysus is the god of wine, and you are taking him into you so that he can provide you “madness,” or a unique way of seeing. Say,
As I drink of you, Dionysus, grant me your presence so that I can be moved. Let my mind and body be free to receive your messages this day.
Set aside your cup. Get yp and move. Feel the rhythm inside of you. Lose yourself in the music and feel the weight of the day slip off you as you open yourself up. Continue to move and know that the elements and Dionysus are there dancing with you. Open yourself up to the messages as you dance in joy. Continue to do so unitl you need to rest, and then lie on the ground to help restore yourself before continuing. Be aware of what you are seeing and feeling. You may want to note these things after coming out of the trance, as not all messages given by deity are immediately clear.
Cakes and Ale
This is a time to renew your strength from the ecstatic, trancelike dancing and to acknowledge your honored guest. You should take a bit of the crackers or cake and drop it onto the ground near the altar or, if inside, drop it on a dish to be later take outside, saying,
Dionysus, thank you for your presence. Your insight has been a blessing.
Next, take some of the wine or juice and pour the drink onto the ground or into the dish, saying,
This elixir has given me insight and visions that will sustain me. Thank you, Dionysus.
Once you have presented the cakes and ale to your guests, you can take some for yourself. Take the time you need to restore yourself and absorb what you learned during your trance before closing out the circle. This is an excellent time to make any notes on your observances during the ritual.
Releasing the Quarters
WEST. Powers of the west, I thank you for your time and tempering my emotions, keeping them in check. Hail and farewell!
SOUTH. Powers of the south, I thank you for your time and your subtle warmth while we communedd. Hail and farewell!
EAST. Powers of the east, I thank you for your time and your gentle winds that danced with us. Hail and farewell!
NORTH. Powers of the north, I thank you for your time and your strength to keep me grounded. Hail and farewell!
Closing the Circle
Take a moment to contemplate the rite and the visions that Dionysus gifted you with. Take time to again thank him and all who gathered with you. End by saying,
The circle is open. Hail and farewell to you all!
Adana Luna 